The Department of Trade and Industry has published an updated report on the Isle of Man Retail Study conducted by Roger Tym and Partners Ltd., a retail consultancy based in Glasgow.

It incorporates both consultation comments, from an earlier draft report, and the results of additional industry research conducted by the department in partnership with the Retail Committee of the Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce.

Minister for Trade and Industry David Cretney, MHK, says the report provides a definitive picture of the current position of the Island's retail sector and its prospects for further economic development.

He says: "I am grateful to the private sector for their assistance in gathering the necessary data and giving their views on the draft report. In particular, working with the Chamber of Commerce, new research on retail floorspace and turnover has enabled realistic and up to date projections of current and future capacity requirements to be prepared. These will be of critical importance in the future consideration of some high profile development proposals concerning the retail sector."

The new document is an updated version of the draft report, which was issued for consultation in August last year.

The Isle of Man Retail Study Final Report is now available on the DTI website and can be accessed at gov.im/dti/retail.xml